By Kerrie McLoughlin

Remember Mother’s Day when you were a kid? It probably revolved around your own mom, stepmom, grandmother, or other maternal figure. Then maybe your mother-in-law came into the picture, and you were posed with the challenge of figuring out how to split your time every second Sunday in May.

Once YOU became a mother, you realized that juggling Mother’s Day visits could be an Olympic event—or at least a reality TV show. While it’s true you can’t make everyone happy all of the time, you CAN honor all the moms in your life—including yourself—every year …

Challenge: So many moms, so little time.

Solution: Who says Mother’s Day should only be celebrated on that specific Sunday in May? Have your stepmom over for dinner one night during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. Take your mother-in-law out to dinner the night before. When Sunday rolls around, have your own mom over, showering her with cards, flowers, and gifts. Serve up a special (easy or takeout) meal. You can get the best of both worlds on Mother’s Day: Being with your own mom and being with the little ones who made YOU a mom.

Challenge: A long-distance maternal relationship.

Solution: FaceTime, Zoom or Skype! Also, consider an out-of-town Mother’s Day one year, then the next year stay put; or have one of the moms come for a special weekend visit at your place.

Challenge: You feel selfish and guilty for wanting it to be about you.

Solution: You’re entitled to decide how to spend the day once you become a mom yourself. Get away for a spa day, sit at a coffeehouse reading alone, or chat with a friend for a few hours. Other years you might want to hang out around the house letting the kids pamper you.

Challenge: Your household inboxes (laundry hamper, kitchen sink, calendar) are always full.

Solution: Take TODAY off, which means NO housework! Close your eyes as you walk by the sink, hold your nose as you stroll by the laundry hamper. Have paper plates and cups on hand for when your family serves you like the queen you are.

Challenge: Your kid is a baby, and your husband can’t cook.

Solution: This is what restaurants are for. If wrestling kids at a restaurant isn’t your style, hit up DoorDash. Make sure you have something indulgent on hand, like cheesecake bites or a lovely double-chocolate cake because this is the day you get to spoil yourself or be spoiled without guilt!

Challenge: You’re a single mom.

Solution: Hopefully your kids will take over or a trusted adult will assist them in making your day special. If your ex has the kids for the weekend, focus on yourself. The “no housework” rule applies here … do what you love to do all day long. Head outside or to an indoor track for a walk, read a juicy novel, see a movie, soak in the tub with a bath bomb, hang out with your own mom. 

Try to make today out-of-the-ordinary in some way. Just as you help your children enjoy birthdays and holidays in ways they love, let them know how you want to spend the day. It’s all about balance, and it CAN be done! 

Kerrie McLoughlin is the homeschooling mom of five and author of The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook.